Sincerest thanks
for visiting this site. We are telling the world the tragic
story of injustice to a minority in two countries. We bear
no ill will toward Bangladesh or Pakistan. Our only objective
is alleviation of sufferings of this minority. We are proud
to be the most comprehensive source of information and evidence
about the history of these the poorest of the poor, stateless
people who are near extinction. We want to persuade you to
take action. Everyone can make a difference, regardless of
country of citizenship, race, ethnicity, or religion. Remember,
we are all answerable for our actions and inaction to ourselves
and to God Almighty.

A small linguistic minority who spoke Urdu lived in a region
called East Pakistan. Most were from the Indian state of Bihar
and had reached East Pakistan about two decades earlier to
escape communal violence in India in 1947 when Pakistan was
created. In their new country they worked hard and they prospered.
Locals referred to them as Biharis. Biharis were often perceived
as privileged, their language and political beliefs were very
unpopular. The Bengali speaking majority had many genuine
grievances against the federal government, dominated by West
Pakistanis. Eventually the Bengalis elected Awami League with
an overwhelming mandate and demanded realignment of the political
system as well as redress of their grievances. In March 1971
there was extensive violence against the Biharis in East Pakistan.
(Read excerpts from Blood and Tears)
The federal government was able to control the rebellion for
a few months however a political compromise could not be worked
out between East and West Pakistan. India intervened militarily
on behalf of the Bengali population and a civil war turned
in to an international conflict. On 15th of December 1971
Pakistan was defeated and East Pakistan became Bangladesh.
(Learn History of Stateless
in Bangladesh and Pakistan)

After independence of Bangladesh the flood gates of oppression
opened wider, many thousands more Biharis were killed, all
of their homes and businesses were confiscated, they were
fired from their jobs, their bank accounts seized, their kids
expelled from schools and they once more had to seek refuge.
International Red Cross created camps to save them from total
annihilation. Most did not want to live in Bangladesh, after
the battering they had received. So half a million chose to
leave for, what was left of their country, Pakistan.

Pakistan only accepted about one third of this population
for repatriation, 250-300 thousand have been living as stateless
people in Bangladesh for more than a quarter of a century.
Their story of woes in Bangladesh is as cruel as it is long.
(Read excerpts from “Internment
Camps of Bangladesh”) (Read
excerpts from “Biharis in Bangladesh”). These
Stateless people continued returning to their country of citizenship
by whatever means possible. At this time there are at least
100 thousand living in Pakistan who are not recognized as
citizens of Pakistan. Urdu-speaking are a minority in Pakistan.
The Government of Pakistan amended her citizenship act by
ordinance (Read
Pakistan’s constitution and amendment to citizenship
act) ) to deny nationality of the remaining Stranded
Pakistanis (Aka Biharis). Pakistan’s denial of nationality
was without a reason, retroactive, and with out due process
of law. This has never been challenged in a Pakistani court
of law but is patently unconstitutional and illegal. Remember
this minority is not guilty of or even charged with any offence
in either country.

• The solution to this chronic and horrible tragedy
is incredibly simple. The Government of Pakistan should
distribute temporary ID cards which were prepared for
the Stranded Pakistanis and are available from Rabitta
Al Alam Al-Islami. Many will relocate themselves, others
will be helped to relocate by relatives and charitable
organizations. This can all be accomplished in just a
few months at no cost to the Government of Pakistan.

• The Government of Pakistan must recognize the
citizenship of all within her borders including those
being denied Identity Cards who relocated themselves to
Pakistan from Bangladesh.

• The Government of Bangladesh should formally recognize
the citizenship of all Stranded Pakistanis who wish to
remain in Bangladesh.